SeptWritingChallenge

Over on Twitter I met a woman (Kristy Acevedo, aka @KristyAce) who started the July Writing Challenge, the gist of which was to write 500 words every day in July. She invited writers in the Twitterverse to join her, and the thing became so successful many decided to continue in August. And again in September.

I participated at the end of July and somewhat haphazardly during August. This is the first month I’m in the mix with more serious intent, and I must admit it helps tremendously. I’ve had an especially crazy week, but, because I committed to the challenge, I’ve scraped together enough minutes to write at least 500 words each day, even when I haven’t felt like writing at all. At least one writer in the challenge is on a writing streak of more than fifty days. Those who use the hashtag for the challenge encourage one another, even when goals are missed. It’s the closest thing I have to a writers’ group right now.

If you’re a writer of any stripe and need a motivation boost, I recommend the Writing Challenge. And you don’t have to wait for the first of the month to join. Check out their website for more information, or check out #SeptWritingChallenge on Twitter. Let’s do this!

Twitterization

Earlier this month I started a Twitter account. I’d been wary of taking the plunge, convinced Twitter was a dangerous place for anyone who has ever had issues with any kind of addiction. Or rejection. Or procrastination. Not that that’s me. Okay, so that’s not just me. I’m talking a great swath of the Twitterverse. (Except you, of course. Maybe.) Anyway, I’d tabled the whole Twitter notion because I needed to focus on finishing my book. Then I needed to focus on revising my book. Then I needed to…start another book or something. No, I wasn’t procrastinating. And, yes, setting up a Twitter account was on my to-do list. Just way down near the bottom.

So why did I venture into the fray?

That would be my sister’s fault. She’s an editor, the one who, when asked if her sister the writer had written anything suitably publishable, told the publisher, “Yes!” or something similar, and now the publisher may actually publish my book. He’s the one who dictated a revised to-do list with Twitter significantly nearer the top. (More about that adventure in a future post.)

So-o-o, Twitter. I’d known it was considered a necessary marketing tool. I’d learned that in the marketing class for which I paid good money. (Lots. Yeah.) I’d also learned I needed to connect with other writers so that we could promote each others’ work, support each others’ book launches. But nobody mentioned that a brief visit to the alternate universe known as Twitter actually consumes vast quantities of time here in the real world. And certainly nobody warned me that, while attempting to connect with other writers, I would burn with the need to purchase and read all their books. I’m seriously broke now, and I haven’t even been at it a month.

*sighs*

Ah, well. Early days yet. There’s hope I’ll figure out how to navigate this stuff in a more efficient, and less expensive, manner. But come July 2, I’m demanding my thirty-day chip.

What? I have to be Twitter-free for thirty days?

*ends post*

*brings up Twitter account*